A POLICE officer from Northwich is on a mission to raise awareness of the debilitating illness that hospitalised her fiancée.

By the end of this month, 36-year-old Claire Harper will have generated more than £1,000 to help Crohns and Colitis UK in their fight against inflammatory bowel disease.

Claire’s husband-to-be, Adam Kilty, who works at Barclays on Gadbrook Park, has suffered with the condition since he was 15. The 31-year-old is on a course of medicine, including bi-weekly injections into his stomach, which costs around £9,000 a year.

He’ll be on a variety of daily tablets for the rest of his life and recently came out of a two-week hospital stay after a relapse during which he lost over a stone in four weeks.

While Adam battles to be fit for the couple’s wedding in December, Claire has launched an intense fundraising drive to help other sufferers.

“Adam is one of many people diagnosed with this illness, all of whom suffer in silence with Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis,” said Claire.

“I strongly feel an increase in awareness is vital to get the public to acknowledge this illness and help sufferers get the right support in their workplace and community.”

Claire started fundraising on May 12 and is on course to pass the £1k mark before June, with help from a cake sale staged with her police colleagues at Crewe police station.

Adam’s mum, Denise Kilty also helped the fundraising with a Cake day along with a raffle at Crysalis Day Nursery in Northwich.

Friends and family ahve created purple bows – the symbol of Crohns and colitis awareness – and placed them on their Facebook pages, while Claire is planning raffles, the Tough Mudder endurance race, Manchester 10k and charity football matches to reach her £5k target.

“Adam and I want to thank everyone who has donated to this cause,” added Claire.

“We have been truly overwhelmed by the support we have been given and are hoping this will continue throughout our campaign.”

To donate to the cause, text GUTT88 followed by amount (£1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10) to 70070, or visit the justgiving site: www.justgiving.com/crohnsawareness